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Heath, who died before any ­allegations were made and can not defend himself, discovered some of the club’s greatest players, including Ray Wilkins.

'It makes no sense whatsoever to me'

The former England captain, 60, said: “I knew Eddie very well. It makes no sense whatsoever to me. Eddie was a great guy.”

In a statement on the Chelsea FC website, the club said it had appointed a law firm to investigate an “individual employed by the club in the 1970s”.

On Friday (November 25) the Met said it had received information about sexual abuse at football clubs in London following revelations that former players were abused as young boys.

Ex-Crewe player Andy Woodward was the first to come forward to accuse former coach Barry Bennell of sexual abuse in the 1980s.

Former England international Paul Stewart, who scored for Tottenham when they won the FA Cup in 1991, has also revealed he was a victim (see video above).

Abuse victim Paul Stewart

Since then, a dedicated football sex abuse hotline has received 860 calls in its first week, the NSPCC have said.

The helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0800 023 2642.

All reports are being recorded and will be investigated by forces local to the area where the allegation was made.

'350 victims' have come forward

Current figures, collated from information supplied by forces to Operation Hydrant and including referrals from the NSPCC helpline, suggest a total of around 350 victims have come forward to report child sexual abuse.

However Surrey Police said it could not comment on whether it will deal with any victims.

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A spokesperson said: "We are not in a position to comment or not on whether any of these victims will be dealt with by Surrey Police."

And National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Child Protection, Chief Constable Simon Bailey, said: “It is important to note that this is an indicative figure only, and that information is still being collated, numbers will therefore continue to change.

“We are working closely with the Football Association to ensure that the response to this significant and growing number of victims, at all levels of football, is coordinated effectively.

“We continue to encourage those who have been the victim of child sexual abuse to report it, regardless of how long ago the abuse may have taken place.

"We will listen and treat all reports sensitively and seriously. Anyone with any information regarding child sexual abuse is also urged to come forward.

“When allegations are reported it enables police to assess whether there are current safeguarding risks and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to prevent children being abused today.

“As the number of calls being received across the service is high, it may take longer than normal for an officer from a local force to make contact to follow up from the initial call, but please be assured that the information provided will be taken seriously and acted upon.”